annapurna Circuit Itinerary A trekking experience that blows the mind! Your go to trekking experts for Nepal, Everest and all the adventures inbetween. What's inside? Why trek with EverTrek? 3 Customer reviews 4 Trip overview 5 Your itinerary 6 Equipment list 16 Extend your adventure 18 2 Why trek with eveRtrek? We get it – travel’s a big decision. It’s not every day you fly across the world to wander the streets of Thamel in Kathmandu or enjoy a dreamy Everest sunrise. But for us, it’s been our everyday for the past two decades (yes, we’re old). Let’s just say we know what travellers really want as we have been there: a balance of inclusions and free time, a mix of classic highlights and local secrets you won’t find on Google. And of course, an authentic real life experience. Great customer feedback We have over 100 online reviews for our Nepal treks, with an average satisfaction rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. We know how to get you to destinations like Mt Everest and have a 95% success rate on our high altitude treks which is way above the industry standard 60%. Excellent local trekking guides We only use local experienced guides, some with over 15 years’ experience of leading customers to places like Mt Everest. Their local knowledge and understanding of the often changeable mountain conditions is second to none. As we use local guides, this means that the vast majority of your money will go straight to the destination and help build employment and grow the local economy. What finer way to visit a country than knowing you will be supporting its local communities whilst also enjoying yourself at the same time. We’re personal As a smaller company we are able to remain customer focused and provide you with a far more personalised service than our larger competitors. We pride ourselves on our personal, approachable service, from your initial enquiry all the way through to the small, but essential details. We also understand the need for balance. Time is your most precious resource, especially on a trip like an Everest trek. That’s why our trips are built with balance in mind. A little group time, a little you time – the way it should be. 3 Core values This is our way of life and we love what we do! EverTrek was created with an undisputed passion for discovery and adventure and the desire to share our knowledge and experiences with others. We can’t think of anything better than helping people get out of their comfort zone, fulfil their dreams and tick things of their Bucket List! customer reviews “Overjoyed with my recent trip to EBC.” I can’t praise Evertrek enough. From the 1st day I contacted Andy he has been amazing. Offering fantastic advice & tips before my trip. Hotel, guides & transfers in Kathmandu were spot on. Biggest credit has to go to the guide & sherpa who take care of you every step of the way. Thank you Evertrek! Donna Brown “The guides were truly amazing, professional and were always on-hand to look after us.” Thanks guys for the experience of a lifetime. What can I say about Evertrek! Simply brilliant. From the moment we spoke with Andy and signed up it was all taken care of. The guides were truly amazing, professional and were always on-hand to look after us. Listen, this is a tough challenge but it’s well within the reach of most of you out there considering the possibility. I’ve kept myself pretty fit all my life (63 years young) but trying to keep up with my sons was, at times, pushing my limits. The scenery is so beautiful it becomes an emotional challenge at times. We did Kilimanjaro a few years ago - Base Camp blows that away completely. However, you need to be in the best hands and we were. Our guides, Rahul and Krishna were meticulous in making sure we were looked after every step of the way and needless to say we have become friends for life. I cannot recommend EverTrek highly enough. Don’t think about this for too long - just do it. They’ll get there and you’ll never forget the experience. So,as soon as I have some pics ready I’ll upload and share but please do not hesitate to contact me while I’m still flying through thin air!!! Thanks again Andy and EverTrek. Alan Irwin 4 tRip overView Annapurna Circuit Trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal is the longest and one of the most diverse treks in the world. Walking the distance of 128miles through four districts (Lamjung, Manang, Mustang and Myagdi) and two zones (Dhaulagiri an Gandaki) allows you to encircle Annapurna massif along with Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Langtang Himal, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak. However, The Annapurna Circuit trekking route isn’t just perfect for the dramatic views of lofty mountains but is also the best in terms of the diversity in climate (Tropic-600m to Arctic-5,416m), altitude (deepest gorge to the high pass – 5,400m), landscape (tropical forest featuring rare species of plants and animals, terminal moraine, snow line and barren land), trail (steep, narrow, icy, windy and dusty) religion (Hinduism, Buddhism, Bonpo and Tibetan Buddhism), pristine little settlements (Thini, Lurpa, and Nargon) and culturally prosperous tribal groups (Gurung, Thakali and Manangi); their culture, tradition, festival, food, dance and dialect. Some of the major highlights of this trek around Annapurna are two river valleys (Gandaki & Marshyangdi), Thorung La pass (5,400m), Hindu and Buddhist holy site (Muktinath Temple), amazing fire-flame produced by natural gas from soil, water and rock (Jwala Mai Temple) and one of the oldest monasteries in the Annapurna region (Braga). In terms of Trekking, the Annapurna circuit is another superb opportunity to enjoy two contradictory baths – one is a sacred bath in water pouring through 108 bull-faced taps and a dip in chilling water in the Kunds (Saraswati and Laxmi) in the premises of Muktinath and the other one is a muscle relaxing bath in hot springs (Chame and Tatopani) en route. You can also enjoy the early morning sunrise views in the Himalayas (from Poon Hill). An Annapurna circuit trekking map will also be provided for the convenience of trekkers to navigate these places. This ciruit Annapurna trek will definitely prove to be one of the rarest and special adventure experiences in your life. expeRience Needed The Annapurna Circuit Trek is suitable for keen walkers/trekkers who are able to walk for 4 – 5 hours in a day, with a light rucksack. 5 itineRary Day 1 Day 1: Arrival day. (1,300m/4,264ft) Welcome to Kathmandu – the capital city of Nepal. Today is your first day with EverTrek. We will send one of our company representatives to pick you up at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). Today, we also have our welcome dinner. Meals included: Dinner (Highlights of the day: Nepali food, Cultural music and Ethnic dance.) Day Day 2: Kathmandu Valley sightseeing 2 and trek preparation (1,300m/4,264 ft) Kathmandu valley, is a place of numerous natural, cultural and historical sites. Therefore, today, we take you on a day tour around Kathmandu. After your tour, we again meet for a few hours to finalize your clothing and trekking gear (down jacket, trekking boots, sleeping bags etc.) required during the trek. The night will be spent at the hotel in Kathmandu. Meals included: Breakfast (Highlights of the day: World Heritage sites like Kathmandu Durbar Square (a historical structure offering architectural wonders), the Pashupatinath temple (a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva- lord possessing the power of destruction), Swyambhunath and Boudhanath (a Buddhist shrine dedicated to Lord Buddha- Light of Asia.) 6 Day Day 3: Drive to Besisahar (760m/2,493ft) 3 7 hours Today, in the morning our guides will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the bus station to catch a bus to Besisahar. The bus will head towards the west of Kathmandu valley and continue the journey towards the western part of Nepal till Dumre following the Prithvi Highway. On reaching Dumre, the bus will head towards the north to Besisahar. The night will be spent at a lodge in Besisahar. Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (Highlights of the day: Comfortable tourist bus, windy highway along the Trisuli River, breathtaking view of waterfalls, rivers, jungles, hamlets higher up on the hills, terraced field with seasonal crop, different vegetations, curious faces of people running motels, restaurants and lodges.) Day Day 4: Trek to Bahundanda (1,398m/45,86ft) 4 6 & a half hours First day of the trek, starts from Besisahar towards north following the dusty road which also passes through the sub-tropical forest, and rice terraces. We stop for some time at Khudi and Bhulbhule to relish the view of a 60m high waterfall and the first view of Manaslu, Himchuli and Nagdi Chuli. From here we move towards the small town of Nagdi, cross a long suspension bridge over Nagdi River and soar up to Bahundanda. The night will be spent at a lodge in Bahundanda. Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (Highlights of the day: sub-tropical forest, 60m long waterfall, first view of Manaslu, Himchuli and Nagdichuli, Gurung and Tamang settlements and rice terraces.) 7 Day Day 5: Trek to Chamje (1,410m/4,625ft) 5 5-6 hours Second day of the trek, we steeply drop down to Syange (1,070m) that offers the best view of the waterfall.